Timothy A. Bautista                                                 MAT – English

Prof. Janice M. Lozada                                                       Creative Writing

1.    Why do you write?

I write for pleasure. Everytime, I have a leisure time, I write poems and short stories. It keeps me a sense of belonging to the intellect simply because I believe most of the people don’t want to write and it’s only those who are incline can do so.

When I was in high school, I already fund of writing poems and short stories in Filipino. It was just recently that I begun writing in English. Whenever I write, it made me thinks of the famous writers and dream that someday I would be like them and be awarded for my award – winning piece.

I write, most importantly for self – expression. Sometimes those inner feelings that I have which I cannot say to somebody are put into writings. It helps to release my emotions like love, anger, joy and peace.

2.    What motivates you to write?  
                     Writing would be different especially if you don’t have any idea for what you are writing. Sometimes the language can be a factor that hinders somebody to write. Good writing needs to adhere with good diction that is by employing figurative languages like figures of speech and idioms. The medium as to whether you will use first or second language can also affect writing.

Motivation in writing comes from within. It comes from our inner intention to write. Interest is a factor and I think the best way to write is when it is free – writing. If it is free, the easier we can construct our ideas and put that into writing. We need not to worry about the norms and standard required to write. For example in writing poems, the more the standards or rules like it should be at least 4 stanzas, has end rhyme, must have 12 syllables in each line etc., the more it is harder to create a poem. This is based from my experience in teaching writing with my students. They are motivated to write if it is free – writing. Similarly, when I am inspired, it results to good writing. When reading Shakespeare’s work and other famous writers, I am move to write as well. When I want to thank somebody for their good work and when I’m in love, I write.

3.    Why writing fiction in particular?

I can move a mountain, I can make rain, I can destroy the evil, and I can do everything through writing.

            Writing fiction is more difficult to do than writing non – fiction. It needs a special and creative language to produce a fine fiction         . It is more of a dreamscape, a writer’s imaginative perspective. When we write fiction, the first thing that is enhanced is our imagination. Our capacity to thinks beyond what others can see is one advantage. Second, it helps us to become creative. As what I’ve mentioned earlier writing fiction employs different devices. Such devices must be properly used and if you succeed, you are already a creative man. Lastly, it can be a track of what you know already. I mean we cannot write what we don’t know. In other words, writing determines our intellectual capacity.

With All I Am By Hillsong Lyrics, Music Videos, Translations - Hip Lyrics

With All I Am By Hillsong Lyrics, Music Videos, Translations - Hip Lyrics

Be Real

            As a teacher of English, I am trained to speak in English all through out the lesson. I give my students instructions in English, I tell stories at the same language. I teach my students to see the implication of that language for their personal and professional growth and development.

            Often I say that they can’t be hired in a job, if at first glace the employer sees a lot of errors in their application letters and resumes and even during interviews where the language used is English.

           

            We can’t deny the fact the practicality of the language in industry, science and business and likewise in teaching. Imagine, how can we translate the words hydraulic, ozone layer, mathematical equation or buoyancy in Filipino or do we have? Even when I am teaching Filipino subject because I have given one by my head, still I can’t avoid speaking in English. They would complain, “Sir, nosebleed Filipino po tayo ngayon”. I would just reply, “Oo nga pala, Filipino nga pala tayo.”

            Having reflected on it, have I been teaching my students to forget their identity as a Filipino? Have I been corrupting their minds? Admit it; Filipino language will always be important to us. I used to court my girlfriend in Filipino ways and language and I used to get angry with my students speaking in Filipino. I will be hypocrite if I will still speak in English in those instances. Filipino is the medium in which we can express our deepest and complex ideas and the innermost feelings and emotions.  So, how come some Filipinos have forgotten its importance? They are just seeing it as a language of streets as what I’ve read in the article given in our MAT class taken form Manila Bulletin entitled “Language, Learning, Identity and Privilege” by J. Soriano. I can’t blame him, on the other hand because he is raised by his parent is such way but seeing the practicality of using Filipino for his katulongs, manongs and tinderas is a disgrace to me. He did not bring honor to his own identity as a Filipino.

            As what my MAT classmate said, “Filipino language makes Filipinos distinct from other nations. It’s true. It bounds our nations and holds our identity. If only Rizal is alive, perhaps he will reprimand those people who think that they are already superior because they are proficient in English. Those oblivions to language of their own are hypocrites. I think they are just using their ability to impress people. Come to think of it, maybe why there is a continuous decline in our education system is that teachers and students have a different language.